Often, when I meet someone for the first time, one of his or her initial queries to me is “What do you do?”

As much as I appreciate their interest in my life, what I do is not the most important part of knowing me. Although what I do fills the hours of my day, who I am fills the rich depths of my heart. It is who I am that matters not only in the years of my life but for all of eternity.

Upon meeting someone whom you have never met before, the question “Who are you?” might be deemed at first hearing to be rude or even sarcastic. But I think you might agree with me that “Who are you?” is an infinitely more insightful question than “What do you do?”

I have heard it said that God did not create “human doings” but that He created “human beings.”

What one does on a daily basis is often defined as being the very most significant part of an individual’s life, however, let me assert that I believe who one is is the true gravitas of life.

What do I do? I cook and clean and take care of grandchildren. I write books and I study the Bible and I write articles for magazines. I speak across the nation and drink coffee and write e-mails

I run a ministry and raise money and stay in touch with friends both near and far. I hang out with my husband and scroll Facebook and wish I led an Instagram-worthy life. I talk on the phone and I pray and I read books.

Now you know what I do. However, if you want to know who I am, read on.

• I am a daughter of the most-high King.
• I am blessed and favored by my Creator.
• I am unconditionally loved by my Father.
• I am forgiven.
• I am a recipient of grace.
• I am no longer a slave to fear.
• I am appointed for such a time as this.
• I am heaven-bound.
• I am protected in His care.
• I am continually on His mind.
• I am destined for greatness in the unshakable kingdom of God.
• I am the object of His highest affection.

Who are you, my friend? Who have you been created to be since the beginning of time?

If you are extracting your self-esteem from what you accomplish on any given day, you will always wonder if your life holds any lasting value. However, if you determine that your true value comes from who God says you are then you will live a life of meaning and significance.

“Put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him” (Col. 3:10, NASB).

Carol McLeod is an author and popular speaker at women’s conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. She has written five books: No More Ordinary, Holy Estrogen!, The Rooms of a Woman’s Heart, Defiant Joy! and Refined: Finding Joy in the Midst of the Fire. Her teaching DVD The Rooms of a Woman’s Heart won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award for excellence in religious programming.

Divorce is never a good thing in God’s eyes. But this silent split in the church, between Word-focused believers and Spirit-focused believers, R.T. Kendall says, has been especially detrimental to the body of Christ.

A teacher, theologian and author, Kendall says when these camps begin to realize the two elements can’t be separated, it will lead to the next Great Awakening—the next great move of God.

“I long for the day when the Word and Spirit come together. It’s my view that the simultaneous combination will result in spontaneous combustion,” Kendall told Dr. Steve Greene on a recent episode of “Greenelines” on the Charisma Podcast Network. “Then, the awakening the world needs will finally take place.

“On the Word side, the message is we will not see the honor of God’s name restored until we earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. Know your Bible, know your doctrine. Rediscover what Martin Luther gave his life for—justification of faith and assurance of doctrine. Until we get back to biblical doctrine, the honor of God’s name will not be restored. And there is nothing wrong with that emphasis; it is exactly right.

“On the Spirit side, the honor of God’s name will not be restored until we get back to the book of Acts, where there were signs, wonders, miracles, gifts of the spirit in operation where they had a prayer meeting and the place was shaken. There’s nothing wrong with that emphasis. It’s exactly right.

“I’ve traveled the world, and wherever you go, it’s either one or the other. You can tell a Word church in 10 seconds. You can tell a Spirit church in 10 seconds. Neither will learn from the other. You can’t tell the Word people they don’t have the Holy Spirit. You can’t tell the Spirit people they need better theology. Neither get it. … Some say the Bible is enough. It isn’t. We need the Holy Spirit to apply the word. For the Spirit people, you need to know the Word of God. You need both, and my heart’s cry is to see these two things come together in a massive way.”

To hear more of R.T. Kendall’s heart, listen to this podcast. {eoa}

The United Kingdom is under spiritual siege. The enemy is deploying divisive tactics across Europe to split the prophetic voice with volatile political issues. Strife is looking to land and bring confusion and every evil work.

While I was flying over Scotland on a puddle-jumper from Ireland on Oct. 1, the Holy Spirit spoke to me about Scotland:

“Scotland is the linchpin. While the eyes of Europe are on Ireland, the eyes of God are on Scotland’s future. As Scotland goes, so goes the United Kingdom.

“Cry out for unity, because I have not called for a separation at such a time as this. Many have been the attempts to sever Scotland, but the time is not at hand to divide, but to stand strong against separatist agendas.

“Scotland’s destiny is tied to England, and England’s tied to destiny.”

What is a linchpin? It’s a locking pin inserted crosswise or one that serves to hold together parts or elements that exist or function as a unit, according to Merriam-Webster‘s Dictionary.

There is plenty of talk about Scottish independence. But if Scotland leaves the U.K. now, it will not be the will of God.

Let’s pray:

—Pray the Scots will conform to the will of God in any vote for independence that may emerge.

—Pray Britain will find ways to strengthen ties with Scotland and stem the tide of sentiments to disunite.

—Pray the enemy’s tactics of division will meet with defeat.

—Pray the Lord’s will be done in Europe. {eoa}

Jennifer LeClaire is the former editor of Charisma magazine and the founder of Jennifer LeClaire Ministries. She is the author of books like Becoming a Next-Level Prophet, 101 Tactics for Spiritual Warfare, Waging Prophetic Warfare, Decoding Your Dreams and Defeating Water Spirits.

Coming from one of the most dangerous, gang-ridden cities in America, the odds of Caylin Moore realizing his academic and life goals appeared slim at best. But when Moore embraced his mother’s steely faith in God and his desire to make it out of “the hood,” he began to dream big, and big things began to happen for him.

Eventually, those Christ-inspired dreams led him to the football fields of Texas Christian University and then on to Oxford University in England, where he became a Rhodes Scholar. The improbable journey from cruel poverty in Compton, California, to success as an author, motivational speaker and role model for hope-deprived kids became a reality.

In Compton, Moore’s family lived in a neighborhood ruled by the Bloods. He often lay awake, terrified by both the sounds of gunfire and the scratching of rats and roaches moving across the walls. The hurdles seemed insurmountable.

“Who would have dreamed that someone from Compton would walk on to the campus at Oxford and becomes a Rhodes Scholar? Not me. I never really considered it,” Moore told Dr. Steve Greene on a recent episode of “Greenelines” on the Charisma Podcast Network. “For me, a dream like that was simply too big. As big of a dreamer as I was, that dream was beyond me.

“When you walk outside your house and you see needles on the ground and bullet casings, you don’t think about one day being a student at Oxford. But that was God’s dream for me. When I walked onto the campus, I thought about every single thing that I had been through up to that point. But to end up there, there was zero doubt in my mind that I belonged there because that’s where God wanted me.

“And that’s what I want to tell people: It’s never too late to accomplish your dreams. But you first have to know what those dreams are, and then work out a plan to accomplish them. I’ve never met a person who didn’t have a dream of some sort. Go back to a childlike mindset when it comes to being what you want to be. Then just take that first step toward your dream.”

For more of Caylin Moore’s incredible story, listen to this podcast.

Rabbi Curt Landry is convinced that when believers begin to understand and embrace their Jewish roots, not only will they gain a better revelation of who they are in Christ, but they will draw closer to the Holy Spirit.

When Christians discover their roots in Judaism, he says, it will empower them to walk in the revelation of their true identity. And this, in turn, will make a huge impact on the kingdom.

“By better understanding the covenants and the ways and the nature of God—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—Christians will find their true self and become separated from their counterfeit identity,” Landry told Dr. Steve Greene on a recent episode of “Greenelines” on the Charisma Podcast Network.

“Culturally, when you understand your Jewish heritage, it changes the whole narrative when you read Scripture, like with the woman who had the issue of blood. She sees this rabbi, Yeshua, walking down the street, and she goes and touches the hem of his garment. When she did that, she knew that she was laying hold of the key of David. That’s how strong her faith was.

“When Christians understand who they are through their Jewish roots, they can become more secure and more powerful in their walk with Christ and in their connection with the Holy Spirit. When that fullness comes, you will really begin to see your faith grow.”

For more of Curt Landry’s ministry and how you can embrace your Jewish roots, listen to this podcast.

To learn more about Judaism and God’s plan for Israel, click this link to receive Charisma’s e-book, God’s Plan for Israel, for just $.99.

“Berlin is the backstop.” I heard those words as I stood on a stage at a prophetic conference in Berlin in late September.

In that moment, I had no real understanding as to what those words meant.

As I prayed and studied, light came. A backstop can mean many things, but the context here is Brexit, or Great Britain’s exit from the European Union. The backstop is sort of an insurance policy in the EU-U.K. Brexit negotiations. The backstop would leave the Irish border open, as it currently is, despite the outcome of Brexit.

The EU had proposed a Northern Ireland-only backstop, which means Northern Ireland would stay in EU’s single market and customs union. Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) would then be free to strike trade deals.

Today while in Scotland, I read talks over Brexit are on the brink of collapse as “source No. 10 said that Angela Merkel was making a deal impossible and Brussels accused Boris Johnson of trying to play a ‘stupid blame game,'” according to The Guardian. “The row erupted after Johnson and Merkel had a phone conversation in which they could not find a common position over Northern Ireland.”

I have prayed in churches and meetings in Europe over this issue, but it has escalated. I am now calling for prayer across the body of Christ over this critical issue.

—Pray that Berlin’s Chancellor Merkel will bow to the will of the Lord.

—Pray that the “betrayal in Brussels” I previously prophesied about will be cut off.

—Pray that God’s will is done in the British Isles.

—Pray that enemy interference in Europe will not prevail. {eoa}

Jennifer LeClaire is the former editor of Charisma magazine and the founder of Jennifer LeClaire Ministries. She is the author of books like Becoming a Next-Level Prophet, 101 Tactics for Spiritual Warfare, Waging Prophetic Warfare, Decoding Your Dreams and Defeating Water Spirits.

End-times and political expert Michael Snyder isn’t surprised that President Donald Trump’s opponents have initiated impeachment proceedings against him. It’s all part of the “perfect storm” scenario for America that John Paul Jackson prophesied nearly a decade ago.

But Snyder says Trump’s potential impeachment won’t only upset the American political landscape. It’s also making many on Wall Street, already uneasy about several aspects of the economy, especially edgy.

“Certainly, a lot of investors are looking forward, and they’re saying, ‘It looks like we could lose Donald Trump, who is very much pro-Wall Street,'” Snyder told Dr. Steve Greene on a recent episode of “Greenelines” on the Charisma Podcast Network. “Then on the Democratic side, Elizabeth Warren is surging to become the front-runner, which could be the worst-case scenario for Wall Street. And that’s gotten investors very, very nervous at this time.

“I think everyone recognizes we’re at a time where our manufacturing numbers are worsening. They are the worst numbers that we’ve seen in a long time. We’re seeing global trade plummet. The trade war with China has taken a tremendous toll on everyone. Auto sales are expected to be down about 12%. On the first two days of October, we’ve seen the Dow plummet more than 800 points. Wall Street right now is very, very shaky; there is big trouble.

“With this chaos in Washington, it’s not going to be good at all. There is going to be gridlock in Washington. Many believe the worst is yet to come.

“But hopefully, this will wake the church up, wake the people of God up, turn us to our knees, turn us back to God. Sometimes, it takes a shaking to do that. The good thing about shaking is that it often will make people realize they need God. Let’s hope that if this nation is thrown into turmoil, that it will turn people to God, and we can bring in the harvest. Ultimately, that’s what it’s all about.”

For more of Michael Snyder’s thoughts on immediate future for America, listen to this podcast.

The news media is filled with stories about conspiracies and cover-ups. Every front page of every newspaper, news magazine or news website is filled with articles and videos of political intrigue.

This president said this to that president. This prime minister promised that businessman this or that. No matter where you turn, it seems like we cannot avoid hearing someone shouting, “Cover-up!” So, as long as we are already focused on cover-ups, I would share about the cover-up of a cover-up of a cover-up.

The Jewish world is about to observe the holiest of our Holy Days, Yom Kippur, known as “The Day of Atonement.” The Hebrew word Yom means day, but the Hebrew word Kippur comes from the root word Kaphar, which means to cover and, by extension, to atone.

Every year on this day, the high priest would enter the holy of holies and apply blood to the ark of the covenant, also known as the Aron HaAdut, or the ark of the testimony (remember this for later). This blood offer, if accepted by G-D, would cover the sins of Israel until the next Yom Kippur. The way Israel knew that this offering of covering was accepted was if the red cord tied around a goat’s neck would turn white.

This process went on year after year until the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70. However, according to Talmudic writings, the red thread stopped turning white the year that Yeshua was crucified. While this information about the red thread was not hidden by the rabbis, a cover-up began as the focus of Yom Kippur was changed after the destruction of the temple and the emphasis became offering prayers instead of the offering of a blood sacrifice.

There was no longer a provision for the actual covering of sins nor a mechanism for knowing if the offering was accepted. So, with this cover-up that was established with the end of the Yom Kippur sacrifice and the replacement of that sacrifice with prayer, Judaism lost its assurance of atonement.

Almost 300 years later, a second cover-up was enacted as the church removed the biblical Holy Days from their calendar of observance and Yom Kippur became one of those Jewish holidays. With this cover-up, Yom Kippur was relegated to a seldom used anecdote or reference to the graceless “law” or “Torah” of the “Old Testament.”

By doing so, the church removed one of the most powerful examples of G-D’s amazing grace in the entire Bible. Because the church removed Yom Kippur from their theological foundation, they lost the entire reference for why Yeshua’s death, burial and resurrection provided atonement for our sins.

These two cover-ups established by religious groups have kept their followers from seeing the original biblical, G-D-ordained cover-up of Yom Kippur, the cover-up that G-D established from the very foundation of the world, the cover-up that G-D’s Word referred to this way in Isaiah 1:18 (TLV):

“‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says Adonai. ‘Though your sins be like scarlet, they will be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they will become like wool.'”

“We all like sheep have gone astray. Each of us turned to his own way. So Adonai has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:6).

“For the life of the creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your lives—for it is the blood that makes atonement because of the life” (Lev. 17:11).

“Therefore He had to be made like His brothers in all things, so He might become a merciful and faithful Kohen Gadol in matters relating to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people” (Heb. 2:17).

So, Yom Kippur provided for us the greatest cover-up ever and then both Judaism and Christianity did their best to cover up the cover-up. {eoa}

Eric Tokajer is author of With Me in Paradise, Transient Singularity, OY! How Did I Get Here?: Thirty-One Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before Entering Ministry, #ManWisdom: With Eric Tokajer, Jesus Is to Christianity as Pasta Is to Italians and Galatians in Context.

Prophet Jeremiah Johnson says that though believers long for revival on the earth, many aren’t willing to rise to the level of commitment and consecration it will take to bring the awakening and reformation that has been prophesied.

The Holy Spirit, Johnson says, is daring those who are hungry to seek Him in a new way. And He is looking for followers who are willing to pay the price and consecrate themselves fully to Him. When that happens, God will manifest His kingdom fully on the earth.

“There are a lot of people following a god made in their own image and not the God of the Scriptures,” Johnson told Dr. Steve Greene on a recent episode of “Greenelines” on the Charisma Podcast Network. “Practically, we need to get in a place of prayer and say, ‘Lord, do I know you? Do I know the Lamb that went to Calvary? Do I know that Jesus, the God of Genesis and the God of Revelation?’

“God’s people need to give themselves completely to Him and His kingdom purpose. Believers need to set Jesus before their eyes and live as a bride eagerly awaiting the returning bridegroom. The Bible says many will be offended at His return. I want to make sure that this generation has a revelation of the real Jesus, and that they’re prepared and they’re sharing the real Jesus with all they run to.

“A lot of the prophetic mandate that I’m carrying is, I believe God has asked me to raise up an army of end-time messengers and prophetic activists. We can do more than pray. You need to use what God has given you in your various spheres of influence. I really want to see the church activated, mobilized and empowered.”

For more of the prophetic word God gave Jeremiah Johnson, and his ministry, listen to this podcast. {eoa}

Jesus is the captain of the host, the Lord of heaven’s armies, who has triumphed over the enemy. As His followers, we have been commissioned to go in His name and authority to stand against the defeated powers of darkness to advance God’s kingdom.

Satan and his minions are fearful of a church who understands its position and authority in Christ. The authority of the believer is more than a concept; it is a powerful truth that, when exercised, provides significant kingdom results.

Every military leader knows that using an effective strategy is necessary to wage successful warfare. Jesus, our military commander, gives us principles to build an effective strategy against the kingdom of darkness. Yes, this kingdom is defeated in Christ, but its representatives are still active in our world oppressing humanity until the full consummation of God’s kingdom on earth at the return of Jesus. Until then, we are overcomers in Christ who must use His authority to stand against evil and to free others oppressed by demonic powers. Let’s examine this important subject more closely.

Remember, Jesus said that He came to give life—not just ordinary existence, but life in fullness, abundance and prosperity.

Jesus said, “The thief does not come, except to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Consider the contrast: The thief (Satan and his minions) wants to rob and destroy, but God wants you to overflow excessively with His love, grace and provision!

Abundant living begins with a devoted relationship to Jesus. He is your life, your source, your joy and hope. He is the author and finisher of your faith. The enemy begins to rob us when we take our eyes off Jesus, when we allow our hearts to dim toward Him.

Don’t Let the Enemy Rob You

Remember, two kingdoms exist: God’s kingdom and Satan’s kingdom, diametrically opposed to each other in our world. Satan wants to destroy humanity.

When you became a believer, you were immediately placed into God’s family and kingdom—isn’t that great news? However, being part of God’s family doesn’t eliminate the adversary who wants to stop you, rob you and destroy you! Consider what Paul and Peter wrote:

“We aren’t fighting against human enemies but against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens” (Eph. 6:12, CEB).

Second Corinthians 4:4 says Satan is the “god of this age,” and 2 Corinthians 2:11 says “we are well aware of his schemes.” Satan is defeated; Jesus triumphed over him (Col. 2:15), but he is still roaming about!

“Be sober and watchful, because your adversary the devil walks around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him firmly in the faith” (1 Pet. 5:8-9a, MEV). In the animal kingdom, most predators lie in wait for the vulnerable—the same is true spiritually. Yes, Jesus is greater, and His grace covers us, but we are also called to be spiritually alert so as not to fall victim to the evil one.

The enemy comes to rob you of God’s blessings, to oppress your soul and body through hardships and sickness, and to destroy everything that we love and hold dear.

Satan has been stripped of his power, but he attempts to distract you from Jesus (temptation), to get you to believe his lies about yourself (shame) and to get you to be focused on your past sin and failure (condemnation).

When you dwell completely in Christ, temptation has no allure! As you mature in Christ, renew your mind to your true identity, live out of the truth of God’s Word and allow your heart to be healed of life’s hurts, you can live free from shame and condemnation. His lies now have no power over you! Destiny begins here, living free in Christ.

In Christ, your sin nature is gone, you are made righteous and you are becoming more like Him as you follow Him. You must have more faith in God’s ability to protect and keep you than in the enemy’s ability to attack you. Yes, warfare at times occurs, but Jesus is greater!

“He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4b)—know this as truth!

Effective Strategies for Spiritual Warfare

Our focus is upon Jesus—His authority and might. We are enthroned with Him and live from His victory. We pray from heaven toward earth, from a place of victory, not from earth begging for a victory!

News flash: God is so sovereign that He trusts us and has given us free will. his means you have a choice to walk faithfully with God, complete in His authority and victory, or to live a double-minded life. Faithfulness builds confidence in the heart of the believer to pray with authority and to expect answers to prayer!

We use the authority Jesus has given us to bring His rule and domain in our world. We aren’t fighting against human enemies but unseen spiritual forces that are at work.

Our goal is not to be warfare-conscious, but praise-conscious. In other words, our praise and prayer are positive, from our relationship with King Jesus, being confident in His authority, power and might to intervene. We are inviting Jesus and the kingdom to rule.

We need to be Christ-centric, not demon-centric!

Understand that even Jesus experienced spiritual warfare, but He wasn’t focused on the enemy. Here are a couple of examples:

In Luke 4:1-13, we read how Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan three times, and each time Jesus responded, “It is written!” His warfare was a declaration of truth. He didn’t take the bait, giving into ego or allure of power; He stayed anchored in truth and His true identity. Jesus could say later regarding Satan, “he has come and has nothing in me.” No hook, no entry point for the enemy to compromise Him.

Knowing God’s Word and His nature keeps you anchored in truth. Truth is not just a concept. Truth is a person, Jesus Christ. Know Him intimately and you will understand truth.

Another example is in Luke 10:17-20:

“The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us through Your name.’ He said to them, ‘I saw Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Look, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. And nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice that your names are written in heaven.'”

Seventy disciples return after being sent and used by God to heal and deliver the oppressed. Jesus, indirectly, explains an important principle about spiritual warfare—kingdom ministry dethrones the enemy. Again, Jesus wasn’t focused on the enemy in His prayer life; He just went about healing and delivering people, then instructed His disciples to do the same—that includes us!

Another example of spiritual warfare was in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus told the sleepy disciples, “Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt. 26:41).

Our warfare is not against human enemies but unseen spiritual forces. Staying spiritually alert and consistent in prayer empowers you to remain faithful during temptation and trial. {eoa}

To read more about spiritual warfare, check out this e-book for only $0.99: The Spiritual Warfare Strategy Guide.

Bob Sawvelle is the founding and senior leader of Passion Church in Tucson, Arizona. Passion Church is a vibrant, kingdom-minded church in the heart of Tucson that values God’s love and presence.